I guess to summarize this boat I would say that she is a sweet boat that paddles very well light and loaded. The boat isn't that manoeuverable but then it is a trip boat after all and tracks well and fast. It adds a bit of weight, but also, with the extra durability, youll worry less about damaging the canoe when youre out paddling. Wenonah Prism Solo Canoe at The Boundary Waters Catalog An all-purpose solo with a good blend of stability, efficiency and capacity. I paddle it sit'n switch with a bent shaft but it's not bad with a J or C stroke either. I do like the tough Royalex material in our rocky Missouri rivers, and the weight is manageable, though I'm starting to see the benefit of a lighter canoe. I paddled this boat up the Thoroughfare River in N. Idaho (between Upper and Lower Priest Lake) last Memorial Day against a very strong current from the snowmelt. As a result, maneuverability is the trade-off, but I haven't had any trouble turning. Most Wenonah canoes are made of aramid, fiberglass or other composite blends. As long as youre running into or with the waves it performs very well. My only issue with this canoe is a feeling I get with Wenonah in general. Direct sunlight can damage and discolor the canoe. Wenonah uses five different blends of composite materials, varying in strength, weight and price. I would prefer to have the option of kneeling, but the sliding tractor seat makes it a sit down canoe. Good boat otherwise, very stable and a joy to lug around and throw up on top of a car. When I look at the new canoes being produced by companies like Swift, I can't help but wonder if Wenonah is stuck in 1978. A 17-foot Spirit II canoe made with T-Formex weighs 78 pounds. My review is not intended to be an objective scientific evaluation of data, efficiency equations, and other measurable values. In the canoe market, Wenonah canoes are comparable to other composite canoes. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. T-Formex or older Royalex canoes can withstand repeated impacts without much damage. My first impression was the Wilderness had slightly more initial stability than a Voyager, which is enough snapshots but not for tripod and telephoto photography work. The composite construction is easily repairable, and the T-Formex is rugged enough that these canoes will last many seasons. Initially (for the first hour or so - as some people had noted, I was not happy with the "tippiness" feel, but seriously, it was all me, and that just disappeared as I settled in. Last week I finished a trip for 100 miles in frosty weather conditions on "Main-River" close to Frankfurt. The metal seat bracket arrangement is why I would only give the boat an 8 rating and Wenonah would do well to go back to a conventional wood drop system that a true canoer can easily adapt to personal preference. Hope TuffStuff will prove as good when I replace my favourite solo! Copyright 2020 www.bwca.com | Legal Notice | DMCA, Help keep the flying moose flying by supporting BWCA.com 2023 Wenonah Canoe Demo Days Events Rooster Rock State Park, Corbett, Oregon Saturday April 22nd - 10AM to 3PM - West End Boat Basin Hat Rock State Park, Hermiston, Oregon Saturday May 13th - 10AM to 3PM - West Loop Pond Text, or call Jeff @ (503) 956-0561 2023 Tandem Canoes Wenonah Itasca Expedition Canoe at Oregon City Cove Watch on Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. Narrowing it down to the exact model was a challenge, but that's where the reviews really helped. The other layups would be better I'm sure. Actually paddling the canoe will give the best sense of itscapacity. This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior. It's a great canoe, but it isn't for somebody who thinks it's an unneccessary hassel to switch sides every five or ten strokes. I customised the seat a little so I can kneel also. The T-Formex canoes are as durable as three-layer polyethylene but much stiffer, resulting in better performance. In our Ultra-light construction a structural-foam core and ribs are laminated into the hull and sides. Have the Wilderness in Royalex for paddling and camping on a wild Highland loch close to my house. You can choose between bench or bucket seats on most Wenonah canoes. Good boat. Someone in a review mentioned how someday older guys like me would end up wondering why you didn't buy "smaller", so I reluctantly concluded that a Wilderness at 15'6" was a good compromise of speed, size, manuverability, etc. Wenonahs Flexcore canoes weave a core into the laminate, adding durability to the performance of a composite. It works great in rivers stages up level 3. So far, my only concern is getting in and out of the canoe. Learn more. Wenonah also owns the kayak brand Current Designs and builds them in the same Minnesotafacility. Wenonahs Expedition canoes are built for extended trips in wild spaces. The one and only drawback I have found which I was unaware of before I bought it, is that any kind of breeze affects this canoe VERY adversely. Graphite transfers energy better than any of our other materials, which makes these the most crisp paddling canoes. So with that said the Northstars will handle the rivers and streams easier. Wenonah has an extensive network of dealers across North America, including REI. Incidentally, the Prism handled like a barge fully loaded until I rearranged the gear to improve the trim, after which it was fine; the sliding seat definitely helps the trim, especially when lightly-loaded. $5 and under ; $500 and over ; Selected Items . The performance is so good that I doubt you will be disappointed. How durable is ultralight Kevlar? I just picked up a Prism in Kevlar ultralight. Only initial deficit, is wishing seat was able to be adjusted "on the fly", but that's minor. Flex 43 lbs Kev Flex 41 lbs Kev UL 32 lbs Graphite UL 31 lbs A solo canoe that defines a new standard for mid-length extended solo tripping canoes. I'm so anal retentive about weight that I had mine made without the sealed air flotation tanks at the bow and stern, alleviating approx. at a comfy paddling pace with a kayak paddle. I suppose it should track straight, being that it's 16'6" long and has no rocker, but it definitely does a good job doing what it was designed to do. I cured this by widening the pedestal base 9" and lowering it 5/8". They build everything from stable recreational canoes to fast racing boats. The justification for this is that a number cannot adequately account for the weight distribution or conditions the canoe will be paddling in. The canoes have always handled fine with the dog. This boat rewards good technique and a bent shaft paddle. They build their canoes exclusively with three-layer polyethylene, which explains the boats affordability and durability. Well use the Wenonah Spirit II 17-foot canoe as a baseline to indicate the different weights of these materials. I think it's the perfect boat for an easy weeks worth of gear. During my training sessions on Emigrant Lake nearby my home, on the Klamath River with somewhat faster water then I thought a novice should be paddling and on the Willamette River I found that the Prism quickly inspired confidence. The boat will take them at any angle. I did slow down going into the waves just so that I wouldn't spear them, with unpleasant results. Sounds like the Wenonah's might fit my style better. When you are talking the Northstar canoe I believe your are asking about their Northwind solo. It does not require nearly the effort that it does to solo a tandem canoe. $45.95 USD Ash Yoke Mounting Kit Kit to mount ash yoke to aluminum gunwales. Enter the Wenonah Prism. Fishing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness; Canoe Routes - Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters; Camping Tips; Gallery; Gallery - Guest photos; Chik Wauk Museum; Grand Marais; North House Folk School; Art Colony; It's an awesome canoe. The Wilderness does all of these nicely and has a nice glide on flatwater. I have had the boat out without cargo (just the dog and a small day pack) in about a 25 mile per hour wind (small bay w/o significant waves) and didn't have any problems with directional control. )sweeeeeeet boat. Of course that adds a few pounds and it takes up space once you reach the end of your portage. I personally feel this can be down right dangerous in the wrong set of circumstances and it's positively annoying otherwise to say the least. Aluminum plates are strategically laminated into the hull. If you come across a Wenonah canoe that has been discontinued, you can learn more about it on their Retired Canoe Models page. I have the Flexcore version in Tuf-weave. I have the Wilderness in kevlar and as I am used to paddling royalex canoes, I found the 'unsympathetic' nature of this rather 'alien' cold and clanky material with aluminium trim took some getting used to. We also add extra fabric layers to strengthen specific targeted areas. Prism 16' 6" Solo Tripper The Prism 16' 6" Solo Tripper is an all-purpose solo with a good blend of stability, efficiency and capacity. MINNESOTA 2 TRIPPER 18`6` Contact Our Canoe Specialists Today: Email Us (800) 223-6565 Buy Online T-Formex is a stiff, durable material consisting of distinct layers. I ordered it with a normal seat but then moved the seat back by 15cm and installed longer droppers. Both options have their merits, and accomplished paddlers sit or kneel on either side of thedebate. This is the idea solo canoe if you get it in Kevlar. The adjustable aluminum seat mount is noisy and even at the lowest setting, I found the boat to be a little top heavy with me in it, so I reconfigured it and dropped the seat two additional inches AND it does not rattle anymore, thanks to a couple of wing nuts and nylon washers. It is holding up well to the numerous dings and scratches it has earned so far. I use a bending branches 240 cm wood paddle which is very light weight and has that small amount of give that is so nice about wood plus it's warmer in the winter to hold onto than aluminum or composite would be. The Tuf-weave layup results in our most durable composite canoes. Canoe models designed for longer trips or multiple paddlers like the Minnesota 3 have higher capacities. I've had it out twice now, and am not disappointed! This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior. Any scrapes or gouges penetrating the outer coloured layer and revealing the pale ABS plastic beneath should be refinished. Used bare, this is a fine yoke for infrequent, short portages. They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. There are differences in the design of these canoes that affect their performance on the water. It doesn't take long in this type of paddling before you'll find yourself playing bumper pool off the banks or doing alot of back-paddling to keep the canoe pointed in the direction you want to go.". Use their dealer locator tool to find where to buy a Wenonah canoe near you. Brilliantly designed for extended solo trips it portages well, paddles efficiently, carries plenty of gear and gives a dry ride in rough waters. These the most crisp paddling canoes 500 and over ; Selected Items a paddle... Northstars will handle the rivers and streams easier but much stiffer, resulting in better performance ; and lowering 5/8... Long as youre running into or with the dog actually paddling the canoe will be disappointed stable and bent! Would prefer to have the option of kneeling, but i have n't had any trouble turning made aramid! Seat was able to be adjusted `` on the exterior throw wenonah prism vs wilderness on top of a composite did slow going... 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